A HISTORY OF SERVITUDE at Fringe Al Fresco for Free!

The Department of Fools, a New York based Commedia dell'Arte troupe in association with The Present Company present "A History of Servitude"as part of Fringe Al Fresco,a series of free outdoor special events sponsored by the 20th AnnualNew York International Fringe Festival startingSunday August 14 at 6 & B Community Garden. The international cast includes Yair Ben-Dor (ABC's Quantico), Jessenia Cuestra, Juan Espinal,Joesph Blute, Matthew A.J. Gregory (Power of Darkness at The Mint), Thaïs Kirby, Radhika Mehorta, Oren Oettinger, Brandon Salerno, Alec Seymore Abhinav Sharma and Anna Tempte.

Filled with physical humor, acrobatics, song and satire, "A History of Servitude" is a comic survey of world history from the dawn of man to the present as told from the perspective of the underdog. History remembers great men, who through conquest, innovation and accomplishment have left an indelible mark on the story of man. But what about the servants of these giants? Using the bold physical comedy of Commedia del'Arte, The Department of Foolsbrings attention to the contributions of history's working class. What if Einstein's maid was actually responsible for inspiring the Theory of Relativity? What if Shakespeare got most of his ideas from the janitor at The Globe? Slaves built the pyramids, but it's the pharaohs whose names live on. Is that fair? "A History of Servitude" presents a comic reminder that it's the "little people" on whose backs much of history rests.

Recently founded by versatile theater artist Matthew A.J. Gregory, The Department of Fools is a company of internationally diverse actors who bring their cultural backgrounds and contemporary world view to classic Renaissance style street theater. Using the power of comedy to illuminate social issues, they believe that the satire inherent in Commedia dell'Arte is as relevant today as it was during the Renaissance. Their mission is to create zany and hilarious theater by employing traditional elements of Italian Commedia such as masks, improvisation, recognizable character types and slapstick comedy.

Matthew A.J. Gregory is a multifaceted theater artist whose current work explores the nexus between art and politics specifically through the lens of comedy. Over the past twenty years he has worked professionally as a director, actor, designer and educator. He has directed numerous productions at venues around New York including NYU, Theater for the New City, the cell and The Culture Project. As an actor he's performed at Kennedy Center, with the Saratoga Shakespeare Company and Off-Broadway at The Mint Theater. His costume designs have been seen at Julliard School, Wheeler Opera House and Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. He currently serves on the faculty of at NYU Gallatin and the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.

"A History of Servitude "will be performed at 6 & B Community Garden at the corner of 6th Street between Avenues B and C starting Sunday August 14th at 12PM. The performance schedule is Sunday Aug. 14 at 12PM, Sat. Aug. 20 at 3PM, Sun. Aug. 21 at 3:30PM, Fri. Aug. 26 at 4:30PM, and Sat. Aug. 27 at 2PM. The running time is 60 minutes. Admission is free and seats are available on a first come first serve basis. For information go to http://fringenyc.org/special-event/fringeal-fresco/ and https://departmentoffools.wordpress.com/.

Photo credit: Angie Kremer

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